CONFERENCE PRESENTS NEW INFORMATION ON PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE

Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne will host a daylong conference Thursday October 17, 2002 to examine new ways of preventing abuse within families and the often-resulting community violence. More than 300 area law enforcement officers, social service workers, mental health professionals, and animal care and rescue personnel will attend. The conference will begin at 9:00 AM at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

“There is no excuse for any kind of abuse aimed at the vulnerable members of our society – children, animals, the elderly and infirm – yet it happens every day,” Sheriff Jenne said. “Any new insight to preventing the violence that tears at our community should be fully explored by everyone in a position to stop it.”

The conference will feature a national expert on the relationship between animal cruelty and human violence. Dr. Randall Lockwood -- a psychologist, researcher and executive with the U.S. Humane Society in Washington, D.C. -- will explain how knowledge and application of this scientifically proven relationship can prevent the perpetuation of abuse toward children, intimate partners, the elderly, handicapped and animals.

Participants will include staff members from the Department of Children and Families; psychologists, social workers and family therapists from the Broward County school system; law enforcement officers from all local agencies; service organizations such as Women In Distress and Kids in Distress; victim advocates and clergy members countywide; county animal care and rescue personnel; and veterinarians.

“By acquiring new information and combining the effort and resources of every discipline in a position to interrupt these cycles, we’ll take a giant step toward ending violence in our community,” Jenne said.

MEDIA NOTE: Sheriff Jenne will welcome participants at 9:00 AM with Dr. Lockwood’s presentation to follow in the Floridian Ballroom. Reporters are invited to attend the morning session and can interview Dr. Lockwood and other speakers at the 11:00 AM break. Media parking is available curbside near the fountain.

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